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HB 2028

Preserving Washington farmland by limiting purchases by certain entities.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Rob Chase and 1 co-sponsor

HB 2028 restricts specified entity types from purchasing agricultural land in Washington to preserve farmland for active farmers and local ownership.

First reading, referred to Civil Rights & Judiciary.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 2028

Legislative bill overview

HB 2028 restricts certain entities—potentially including foreign nationals, corporations, or investment firms—from purchasing agricultural land in Washington State. The bill aims to preserve farmland for active farmers and local ownership by creating limitations on who can acquire agricultural property.

Why is this important

Farmland loss is a significant concern in rapidly developing states like Washington, where agricultural acreage converts to urban or commercial use. Restrictions on non-farmer purchases could affect property values, investment patterns, and the long-term viability of farming operations, while potentially influencing housing development and agricultural policy statewide.

Potential points of contention

  • Property rights concerns: Restrictions on land sales may conflict with constitutional protections against unlawful takings and raise due process questions about limiting buyer eligibility
  • Definition ambiguity: The bill's effectiveness depends heavily on how "certain entities" and "farmland" are precisely defined—overly broad definitions could unintentionally limit legitimate purchases
  • Economic and equity impacts: Limiting buyers could reduce farmland sale prices (affecting farmer retirement planning), but could also restrict investment opportunities or disproportionately affect specific groups depending on implementation

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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